Why We Need Jesus

September 23

“There is no other Name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

A lot of people have very different views upon how to please God – or about how to make sure that (when you die) you go to Heaven. Most of these views revolve around the whole notion that if we are good enough folks, God is going to just let us into Heaven (after all, He loves us… what’s there to worry about). Somehow they get the idea that there will be this big scale up at the pearly gates and all the bad things we’ve done go on one side, and all the good things we’ve done will go on the other. And since we are all pretty decent people, the good will outweigh our bad and…”Congratulations! You’re the BIG Winner on ‘Where You Spend Eternity!’”

Of course, the only problem with this line of thinking is that it has no basis in the Bible. (People are a little shocked to hear that!) The Bible is very clear about how any of us will get to spend eternity with God, and our human goodness has NOTHING to do with it!

There is just one way to spend eternity with God… to accept what Jesus did for us.

What Jesus did for YOU.

You see, it is personal. God deals with each of us on an individual basis. Just between us and Him. And He has Personally provided just ONE way for us to please Him – just one way to avoid His terrible judgment upon our sins.

Can I let you in on a little secret (actually it’s a BIG secret)? Most people think in terms of this great trial in Heaven where we will all get to make our case to establish our goodness… and avoid condemnation from God. We feel pretty good about our case, too (seeing as how we have tried to live as a decent person, and we haven’t hurt a lot of folks… or killed anybody). Bring on that trial!

But here’s the secret… there isn’t going to be a trial. No one will be making “their case.” No one will be singing their own praises, or clamoring for that big scale in the sky.

The Bible informs us of some very bad news. We are already GUILTY before God. We are already condemned because of our sin. Our case is already lost…

Listen to the words of Jesus: “Whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the Name of the only Son of God.” (John 3:18)

“Well, that’s not fair!” we object. “Where’s the justice?! Where’s the due process?”

But the Great Judge has said: “What we were due… was death (Romans 6:23!) What we deserve for our sin… is wrath!” (Romans 5:9)

What we got… was grace. You know the verse: “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

What we don’t seem to grasp is that Jesus went on trial on our behalf. Jesus took all our sinfulness upon Himself. AND Jesus took the condemnation of God’s wrath for our sin. God’s wrath was poured out upon Jesus… because of each of us.

Why? Because “God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.” (John 3:17)

Why do we need Jesus? Because He is God’s only provision for our eternity. It gets very simple: God is God. He gets to decide how all this works. Jesus is God’s only way to be saved. All we are required to do… is receive Him.

When we receive what Jesus did for us, God is satisfied. He is pleased. He welcomes us into His family… forever.

All eternity is settled for us when we look to Jesus and take Him as our Savior… and live our lives in continual gratitude for all He has done for us.

Prayer Focus: God, today I renew my trust in Jesus as the only Name under heaven by which I may be saved. 

Advertisement